One would think that questioning the locals would be an easy task. In one aspect, it is – once you find the locals that actually know something, your job is pretty darn easy. However, that whole "finding the locals who actually know something" deal?

Yeah. Basically impossible. Especially since Reeve (have I mentioned how gentlemanly he is? Because seriously, he deserves an award! So considerate!) didn't really give me any information other than saying something along the lines of, "Thur's trouble brewing up yonder in Junon! Go get an inklin' of what it is!"

Except… you know… not like that.

So anyway, here I am in Lower Junon, with Cid, at six o'clock in the morning, freezing my ass off, and wondering where to begin in my quest for information.

First of all, there's like no one out in town at six A.M. I can't help but wonder why the hell Reeve felt it was a good idea to get me up THAT FRICKING EARLY to come to Junon, when nobody's going to be up until at least eight.

Oh well. It's not like I can really change the circumstances now, so I decide to get a good look around at who, exactly, we might be able to talk to.

To the right, a bunch of men wearing construction hats heading to the elevator leading to Upper Junon.

Behind them, men without hats. Probably businessmen, if the suits are anything to go by.

To the left…

BINGO.

Seriously. I'm so happy I could dance!

Directly to my left is a circle of middle-aged women gossiping. The best part? They seem to be complaining about "kids these days."

So happy I could DANCE, I tell you!

To begin with, though, this is a delicate situation. Don't get me wrong, the threat (as far as we know) is minimal, but we don't want to incite panic. The last thing we need right now is mass hysteria throughout Junon simply because we pulled the "We're from WRO" card.

Trust me. It's a rookie mistake and it's a BAD one, at that. And I may or may not be speaking from experience; you'll never know.

… Fine. I'm speaking from experience. But it only happened once! I promise!

What Cid and I need to do here is be discreet. This is probably easier said than done, what with having an extra person around and my penchant for screwing things up.

If I focus, though, there should be no worries. I am Yuffie Kisaragi, QUEEN OF STEALTH, after all!

I'm serious. Remember Deepground? Just try to tell me that stunt at the Shinra Manor wasn't grade-A badassery. Really. I dare you.

What with me being QUEEN OF STEALTH and all, I whip out the "Tourist's Guide to Junon" map I yoinked at the front gate.

Stop looking at me like that. They were complimentary, you jerk.

ANYWAY! I whip out my map, because I'm stealthy and whatnot, and beckon for Cid to follow. We casually make our way over toward the older women, all the while looking at the map like it's the coolest thing in the world, and as such, it must be memorized.

We stand next to the women, me playing "confused tourist" while Cid... is Cid.

"Don't see why we don't just ASK them," he grumbles, kind of loud. I shoot him a glare; he smirks and keeps grumbling, drowning out the group's chatter, so all I can hear is the occasional, "Well I never!" or "Bless his heart."

The women notice us, which sucks because I've gotten zero usable information and I've figured out that Cid's a horrible person to bring on recon with me.

"Can I help you?" It comes from right behind me. I jump, surprised, and turn to find one of the ladies, trying to look as approachable as possible. She's nervous, though. Probably because I'm so fabulously intimidating and all – "Yuffie Kisaragi, Professional Kicker of Ass" could be tattooed on my forehead and my badass level couldn't rise higher than it is now.

Or it could be the fact that Cid's carrying the Venus Gospel and I have my trusty Conformer easily accessible.

But I prefer the first idea.

ANYWAY! Now I have to play the little lost tourist, so I try my hardest to look as bewildered by Junon's simple setup as possible.

"Um… yeah. So my friend and I are new in town, and we're kind of lost. Could you help us please? He's really no help at all, just staring at the map and grumbling like it's going to magically come to life and tell him something," I say, hoping to sound as close to a damsel in distress as possible.

"Well, dear, what do you need, I can help…" I'm kind of listening half-heartedly when something too perfect to be true catches my eye.

A somewhat-large party of men carrying shipping crates are making their way towards the elevator to Upper Junon. The fact that they look all secretive-like (quick glances from side to side, whispering, keeping their heads down, the works) really helps them stay inconspicuous, let me tell ya.

So I'm off.

"What the fuck – GET BACK HERE!" Cid's running after me, and he's causing a bit of a scene, so I slow down. Can't let Team Subtle catch on, after all, though I don't think they'd notice. They're too busy doing a really good job of not being noticed themselves.

Aww, Cid! He's concerned for my safety!

Granted, he's probably only concerned for my safety due to the fact that Shera will most likely not be pleased were I to be maimed while he and I were on this grand expedition of a day trip of ours, but still!

… Sorry. I'm rambling.

He catches up to me quickly, somewhat out of breath. Curse my short legs! I totally thought I could run faster than that!!

"Dammit, Brat," he growls, "ya made me drop my cigarette!"

Oh, the horror.

"Well, Cid, it's not like you have an entire pack strapped to your head or anything," I reply.

His hand briefly brushes the strap of his goggles before he pulls out another cancer stick and lights it.

"Not the point. Anyway, what do you think you're doing, running away all of a sudden like that? Damn near gave me a heart attack."

Because it's not like the cancer will get him first, oh no.

"Well, what can I say, Cid? I thought I saw Palmer back there and I just HAD to go say hi. He's such a fox, after all." I tried to make this sound as convincing as possible. I don't think it worked. Oh well. I remain on my path toward the elevator to the upper part of town, hoping not to lose sight of our super-successful bad guys up ahead.

"Sure ya wanna go public with that, kid?" He's smirking at me, that smirk that screams, "Oh Yuffie, you're a HOOT," all sarcastic and asshole-ish.

I glare at him before pointing toward our targets.

"Shut up, Cid. We need to follow Team Dark and Mysterious now. They seem to be doing things of the dark and mysterious variety."

He gives me that look again. Gawd, I hate that look. But he doesn't say anything this time and lets me lead the way.

Team Dark and Mysterious have nothing on us!

And so ends chapter two. The action's going to pick up starting with the next chapter, so please look forward to it! Updates will be as close to weekly as I can get them -- most likely on Saturdays or Sundays.

Thanks to the Genesis Awards crew and my fabulous betas: mintbanana, quietandcryptic, and Woodster.